APPLETON - I was 5 years old when Scott Calvin transformed from a toy salesman to Kris Kringle in the 1994 classic "The Santa Clause."

It hit home for me because my parents were separated and going through a divorce, just like Charlie's. My brother and I were learning how to navigate a new normal — not seeing our dad as often (although we saw him multiple times per week) and splitting time with family at holidays.

Seeing a kid who was going through the same thing made me feel like my brother and I weren't alone.